A Collection of Curious Travels and Voyages, Volume 2 · Observations 2 · Section 17
Some Obſervations made by Sir Henry Middleton, and other Engliſh-men, in Arabia Felix, when they were moſt treacherouſly ſeized, and led Priſoners from Moha and Aden up to Zenan. Alſo Capt. Payton's and Capt. Heyn's Obſervations in ſome parts of Arabia Felix.
WE were fifteen days in going from Moha to Zenan, which is about 180 miles diſtant N. N. W. it lies in 16 degrees and 15. min. Lat. We were carried about our Chriſtmas time, and were almoſt ſtarved with cold, there being hoary Froſts and Ice at Zenan: Some of our men got Furrs, this was wonderful in ſuch a Latitude: We fed much upon Dates and Plantanes.
Zenan appeared to me bigger than Briſtol, its ſituation is in a Stony Valley, encompaſs'd with high Hills, with many Gardens and places of Pleaſure. The Buildings are of good Stone and Lime.
February the 17th, we obtained our Liberty, and began on the 18th our Journey from Zenan to Moha: That night we came to Siam, 16 miles, ſome on Aſſes, others on Camels: On the 19th to Surage, 18 miles: On the 20th to the City Damare, in a plentiful Country 20 miles from Surage. On the 21ſt we arrived at Ermin, 15 miles, here we ſtaid the 22d. On the 23d we came to Nagual Samare. The 24th to Mohader 13 miles from Nackelſamar. On the 25th to Rabattamain, 16 miles from Mohader: Here they make Opium of a Poppy, but it is not good. The 26th we came to Coughe, called Meifadine, 16 miles from Rabattamain. On the 27th we were at Tayes, half as large as Zenan, here they make Indigo out of an Herb. March the 1st, we travelled from Tays to Eufras, 16 miles diſtant. March the 2d, to Aſſambine 11 miles. On the 3d, to Accomoth. The 4th to Mouſa, 17 miles: Here we obſerv'd them ſteeping the Indigo Plant. On the 5th we got to Moha.
Moha is leſs than Tayes, but very populous, it ſtands cloſe by the Sea in a Salt and Sandy Soil, unwalled: yet it hath Platforms and Forts: Abundance of Shipping reſort thither from India, and great Caravans by land from Syria and Mecha, to trade and exchange Commodities.
Aden is the greateſt Port of Arabia Felix, 'tis ſituated at the foot of vaſt high Mountains, which riſe up with Pikes, and run with great Promontories into the Sea: Theſe Hills were called Cababarre, according to the Journal of Don John of Caſtro the Portugueſe. Capt. Dunton, of Sir Henry Middleton's Fleet, obſerv'd Aden to lye in 12 deg. 35 min. of N. Lat. The variation Weſterly was 12 degrees and 40 minutes. It flows upright between 6 and 7 foot Water on the change day. The Canoos came about the Engliſh Ships with Indigo, Olibanum, and Myrrhe, but no trade with them by reaſon of their treachery. Aden has been a great City of above 6000 Houſes, but Capt. Dounton found the Buildings much decay'd, and many of them ſunk. Capt. Sharpeigh was the firſt Engliſhman that ever landed at Aden, he had been there 16 months before, in the year 1610.
The aforementioned parts of Arabia Felix were at that time under the ſubjection of the Turks, who had got poſſeſſion of them from the Arabians, by tricks and treachery, whom they kept in awe by many Caſtles built on Hills and Paſſes, and by the many Captives they always kept as Pledges. Sir Henry Middleton obſerv'd many of the mountainous parts to be under the Dominion of the Arabians, who are very populous in all the places where he paſſed, and are at frequent Wars with the inſolent Turks, who pretended ſecret Orders from the Grand Signior, to deſtroy all the Chriſtians that came aſhore, leſt they ſhould go up to Mecha and Medina, to ranſack and burn them.
Cap. Walter Payton, in the year 1613, found great Hoſpitality and Ingenuity in ſome Ports of Arabia Felix, nearer the Perſian Gulf, eſpecially at Doffar, a very good Road for Ships, and a fair City, where the Arabians preſented his Crew with Bullocks, Sheep, Hens, Goats, Sugar-Canes, Plantans and Coco's. This Cape ſtands in 16 degrees 38 min. of N. Lat. and is free from the Turkiſh Yoke.
Capt. Edward Heyns anchored before Moha or Mocha, in Arabia Felix, An. Dom. 1618. the Governour ſent him as Preſents a young Bullock, two Goats, Mangoes, Limes, Cucumbers, Water Melons, Quinces, Rack made of Rice, &c. He went freely aſhore, and found it a very neat, populous, and flouriſhing Town, built of Brick and Stone, curiouſly plaiſter'd over like Paris, two Stories high with flat Roofs and Terraſſes on the top, whereon they build Summer-houſes with Canes and Matts, wherein they ſleep and receive the freſh Breefes in the great heats. They excus'd the Cruelty to Sir H. Middleton, laying it on the cruel Governor at that time.